Aston Martin Throw Down the Electric Car Gauntlet

Aston Martin delivered noteworthy news this week; they are partnering with Chinese consumer electronics group LeEco, in a joint venture towards producing the first Aston Martin to combine both luxury and eco-friendliness, as the brand’s first electric vehicle. Last year, Aston Martin revealed its concept RapidE car, and this year, has vowed to bring it to life by 2018.

The two companies are not new friends; they originally worked together on the Rapid S model, and now the plan is to bring the concept of the RapidE electric car, based on the Rapid S, to the market. This will also pave the way for further electric vehicles to come between now and the end of this decade. Both Aston Martin and LeEco are now focusing their time and energy into materialising the RapidE, taking advantage of the expertise and technological advancement at the fingertips of their partnership. They have not yet revealed details of the planned performance of the vehicle, but have mentioned their endeavors in identifying a powertrain and battery system for this exciting new zero-emissions sports car. With the Aston Martin team behind such a powerful concept, there is no cap on the potential of the car to come.

In a statement, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “Aston Martin is dedicated to developing a range of cars with low-emission technologies. We have been encouraged by the project speed and technical depth shown by LETV in the development of the RapidE concept towards full production.” He went on to mention that bringing the RapidE to the market would be an “important milestone for both companies.”

Such partnerships as this are proving both popular and beneficial to both parties, allowing companies such as LeEco to extend their reach towards automotive campaigns, as well as providing luxury car brands allies with electronic giants and thus an excellent accomplice in the installation of the latest technology in their newest vehicles. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has the best interests of its people at the forefront of its intentions, promoting electric cars in an attempt to minimise the smog regularly engulfing its cities.

It looks like the world of electric cars is about to get rather interesting indeed…